What Is In A Year?

A year (from Old English ȝēr; symbol y or sometimes a) is the amount of time it takes the Earth to make one revolution around the Sun. By extension, this can be applied to any planet: for example, a "Martian year" is the time in which Mars completes its own orbit.
For me it has been 365 days of absolute newness. I have spent almost every moment of the last year with my sweet Colton! I have been blessed beyond words to be his mother. God is using this little man in a giant way to etch away the ugly in my heart and life.

I cannot believe my first born is a year old… I can still remember how excited in shock I was when I found out I was pregnant (in the bathroom at work!... who seriously takes a pregnancy test at work!?); I remember being in total disarray trying to figure out how I was going to tell Chris when he got home from his business trip and I remember the absolute calm look on his face when I told him I was pregnant! I remember the morning all day sickness, the labor pains, the hour long ride to the hospital, and the 4 hours in a delivery bed. I can still remember how HOT it was in the delivery room (Chris says he had the air on 60!), the hateful nurse, the annoying post delivery bed, but oh yeah, how sweet my husband was that entire day, well several days (why am I tearing up???). I certainly remember the epidural free childbirth (Thank you Lord that you allowed me to have that experience!) and holding my little man for the first time. Needless to say, it has been a memorable year!

52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours, 525600 minutes, 31536000 seconds; ONE YEAR!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLTON!

Full Circle

In my last 2 years of college I had the awesome experience of being a nanny to a wonderful family of 6. When I first started the job there was Phillip 4, Claire 3, and Anna and Andrew barely 1! Those 2 years were the fondest 2 years ever… yes, at times it was exhausting, but in the end it was so rewarding and helped prepare me for the arrival of my own son! During that time it was the twins that changed the most – when I first started Anna was barely walking and Andrew was crawling, when my time with the Nichols had ended I had made it through both twins learning to walk, going from the bottle to the sippy cup, giving up the passy, starting pre-school, and learning to potty train. Needless to say it was a hard break to make when I had to leave! The Nichols recently traveled to New Zealand for a yearlong medial/mission trip! Once they were all settled back home we paid them a visit…








Andrew (the youngest and Colton playing together!) ... he was definatley the most interested in my little man... Colton was mostly interested in chewing on the furniture!

So... as you can see this was a "full circle" moment for me!

Lots of Love,

Summer Jo Brooks

Mother's Day

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh






"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."-- Agatha Christie





"Youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother's secret hope outlives them all."-- Oliver Wendell Holmes






"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."-- Cardinal Mermillod





A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories. ~Honoré de Balzac

I love being a mom, but I could not do what I do without the wonderful husband that I have! I am so in love with the "boys" in my life! I am blessed far more than I deserve!

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mom's out there!

The Lake

Chris grew up on the lake, his parents and grandparents live on the lake, so it is only natural that we spend a LOT of time during (especially during the summer). Our summers are jam packed with lots of time boating and relaxing in the sun! This weekend was so beautiful and warm so we took Colton on his first boat ride. Colton was just a newborn last summer so he did not have a chance to get outside much, but if this weekend is any indication of how our summer is going to go, it is going to be great! I was shocked that he didn’t take a screaming fit when I put the life jacket on him and was more shocked that he just lay down and relaxed! My child relaxing while awake! Totally out of character for him… he is normally go go go! Here are a few pics!





I think this is a indicator that he is going to do great at the beach!

Lot of Love,

SJB

Easter has always been one of my favorite “holidays” of the year; it is such a wonderful time to reflect on the death, burial and most importantly the resurrection of our wonderful Savior. This Easter was extra special because it was Colton’s first Easter (well, first Easter outside of the womb). I love to mark all of his firsts; I hope I do that with all of our children. Our Easter weekend was spent with Chris’ family on the lake – we got to visit with his brothers children (Mitchell 5 and Evelyn 2) – we do not get to see them much because they live in Nashville so we had a great time! They had not seen Colton since Christmas and he is a totally different child now (crawling, babbling, being a wild 10 month old) so it was nice to see them enjoy him! Easter day was a day filled with worship, great music, and a wonderful message from our Pastor. All this followed by lots of picture snapping…

Welcome Home

Chris and his dad were recently away on a 2 week business trip to China. This was Chris' sixth trip, but his first one since the birth of Colton! The days leading up the the trip are always super hard for both Chris and I, but I really tried to work hard to stay positive. As I always do, I dropped Mike and Chris off at the airport - when Chris told Colton bye we both teared up!... it was so sad! It was a lonely 2 weeks without him, but well worth it because on their business trip they had the opportunity to lead 27 Chinese to Christ!! Colton and I were able to stay in touch and talk to Chris and Mike (Papaw) twice a day via skype! It was great because with our web cams we could not only talk, but see one another too. I know that it was confusing to Colton to see his daddy and papaw on a computer screen. It was an exciting day when they returned... I took lots of pictures and Mooma videoed!... Colton was a little confused at first when he saw Chris, but once he realized it was him "for real" and not on a computer screen he couldn't stop kissing and touching his daddy! It was too sweet! Welcome home!

You Know You're a Mom When

You know you’re a Mom When…

Some days when I really let it hit me it is like a bolt of lightning coming in… Oh my stars! I’m a MOM!!

1. Its noon and you realize that you still haven’t brushed your teeth or had breakfast!
2. Life is planned according to a nap schedule
3. You’ve caught spit up in your hand.
4. You sing the ABC’s in your sleep… grr!
5. You cannot remember what it is like to get more than 4 hours of sleep at a time.
6. You not only pack your little one an extra set of clothes on an outing b/ you pack you an extra set.
7. Your purse contains pacifiers, diapers and wipes. (I also carried ‘Tucks’ for a while too… ha)
8. Your kid’s clothes are better than yours.
9. You get excited over a dirty diaper!
10. You realize that being a mommy is the hardest job ever!

Blessed

Sometimes the busyness of life hinders my remembrance of just how blessed my life is. I look at Colton and hold him and know that the Lord has blessed me beyond measure and far more than I could ever imagine and certainly more than I deserve. I have a son, a healthy baby boy who already loves me and knows that I love him. Unfortunately it sometimes takes seeing the tragedy of someone else's life to be reminded of just how great yours is. I was looking for some song lyrics today and came across 2 blogs that absolutely shook my world. Both were blogs from mothers who had lost newborn children. I sat in my desk chair reading absolutely broken for these families. They have been through such tragedy, but yet are proclaiming that they too are BLESSED!

If you are interested these are the 2 blogs:

http://thestanfieldjourney.blogspot.com/

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe," Hebrews 12:28

Colton's First Road Trip

Colton and I got to accompanied Chris on a business trip a few weeks ago... It was excited b/c we didn't have to go a week without daddy and because it was Colton's first road trip! As you can imagine with a baby in tow a normal 6 hour trip turned into an 8 hour trip to Tupelo, Mississippi for the Tupelo Furniture Mart. It was Colton's first time in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and his first time in a hotel room. Considering that he only slept for an hour on the way down he did really well! It is so exciting every time we get to do something with him for the first time or see him do something new for the first time! He recently learned how to clap - I wish we would have had a video of our reactions - Chris and I were so excited and we just wanted to show everyone his new "trick". Who would have thought you would get so excited over seeing a baby clap?! The joy he has brought into our lives is overwhelming and so undeserving.

The Holidays

I cannot believe that Christmas has already come and gone! It has been a super busy holiday season - we made our rounds and did what I would like to call the "Christmas Marathon" ... it all ended on Christmas day at the Brooks' surrounding the dinner table and Christmas Tree with 20 family members. It is always so sweet to be with family and to see those you have not seen in a while! Chris' brother and his family were in from Nashville... they have 2 little ones (Mitchell 5 and Evelyn 2) - we do not get to see them much so I like to soak up as much time as possible with them.

Here is our 2008 Christmas Letter:

I am delighted to report that is has been a very busy, but very happy year in the Brooks household! This year has been a world wind for Chris and me. Our New Year started off with a bang as we were slowing preparing for the soon arrival of our new baby boy!

In March Chris and I accompanied his brother and sister in law on a trip to Estes Park, Colorado. It was pretty interesting; me 6 months pregnant trekking through 6 feet of snow in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Needless to say I was toward the end of the pack during our Snowshoeing adventure with the park ranger. After our trip it was as if June was upon us in no time of all. Before we knew it Chris was taking on my other personality (the one that we discovered during the 4 hours in the labor and delivery room at the hospital…big smile) and patiently coaching me through the delivery of Colton. 12:41a.m. on June 4th Colton made his arrival and our lives have been forever changed! He is now aiming for the 7 month mark and is very much enjoying all the Christmas trees. Since Colton’s arrival into our family I have learned to function on only 3 hours of sleep, something Chris never thought possible! HA! We are presently unpacking boxes and baby proofing our new home we recently purchased as we settle in for the adventures of crawling and soon walking.

I know I can speak for Chris in saying that with the addition of our son we have both gained a deeper understanding of the love that God has for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son…” this is a verse we have all heard since we were old enough to remember, for me now the verse takes on a more significant meaning. I thought that I understood the magnitude of God’s love for us; that he would have one son and he would allow that son to die for me and for you, but it was not until I held Colton in my arms that I gained a greater understanding of His unconditional love. I pray this Christmas that you too have experienced the love of Christ in your life and that you have ask him to make a home in your heart that you would have eternal life through him.

Thought Provoking

I had someone recently send me an email and ask me, “How would I like Colton to serve the world?” It was really a thought provoking question and shamefully so I don’t know if I had really thought about it prior to being ask. I always knew that first and foremost I wanted him to be a great man of God! I pray everyday that he will be saved at a very young age and that no matter what he does in life he will serve the Lord. I don’t want him to be a servant of the “world” or of “man”, but a servant of the Most High Priest! So I got to thinking... what else do I want for him??? Here is a little taste of my response to the email.

That he is compassionate and appreciative. Compassionate toward others and appreciative of the world around him and the opportunities that has been afforded him. I want him to also be responsible, gracious and humble. Courageous enough to start new adventures… I hope he strives to be excellent in all he does, but the realty is that he will fail… he will fail many times – and when he does I pray it will make him a better man, a better person, a better Christian. I hope he will learn that his failures do not and will not define him, he will be known by what he does after he fails. I pray that he will have resilience to overcome adversity and that he will be tolerant of the world around him, but in the same regard that he will never compromise his beliefs. I pray he will have strong convictions and that he will follow them. I hope he is a leader and not a follower, a lover not a hater. I want him to be successful, but not according to the standards of the world. And I want him to always, always to be dependent only on God… not on me and not on his own father, but on our great Heavenly Father who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us! Chris and I will ultimately let him down, but God will never let him down.

I was rocking Colton this morning; as I do every morning when I am trying to get him down for a nap, I was singing to him, the norm – Jesus Love Me, Amazing Grace, Rock a Bye Baby, etc… and then Away in the Manger came to my mind. Once I began not so gracefully singing that little precious tune that we have mostly come to know as a “Christmas Song” … I became overwhelmed with emotion. I wondered to myself, “What did Mary sing to Jesus as she rocked him or held him as a newborn. Did she sing of the “stars in the sky” or the animals of the pastures. How did Mary, the mother of Jesus, comfort the GREAT COMFORTER?” As a new mother I am convinced that my son is destined to be something great, something wonderful, an asset to the world around him; I couldn’t imagine that any new mother would think any less of her son… so I wonder, “What did Mary think of Jesus?” Do we honestly believe that she had no clue that her son was going to be the greatest man to walk the earth? I have wondered these things before, but having Colton in my arms puts a whole new meaning to; “For God so loved that world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have EVELASTING LIFE”.

I echo the words of the great hymn “Because He Lives”

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

6 Years

Sunday was our 6 year anniversary! We could not believe that it has been 6 years. The time has flown by. It seems like we have been through so much together and looking back each year has something very special about it. This year of course is the birth of Colton. Chris and I started dating the summer before my senior year of highschool and before his sophomore year of college ... it is crazy to think that we now have a little one! Wooo ... weee... where does the time go?

The Arrival Of Colton

Colton made his way into our world on June 4th at 12:41 am via an epidural free delivery!!

THE SHORT VERSION:

I started having consistent contractions on the 2nd.... they were consistent b/ spread apart and very mild. Chris was on his way out of town (5hrs away) on a business trip ... so I went to the doctor that morning by myself. The doctor told me to call my hubby and have him turn around. My contractions were not doing much so she sent me home... told me to go shopping not to go home and sit around - so that's what I did! ;) That night my contractions were more consistent b/ mild enough to where I could sleep. We got up the next morning and made our way to the doctors office (an hour away) and once again, I was sent home. She told me since I wanted to have a natural birth it would be best to go and labor at home as long as possible.. so that's what we did! We were home for about 7 1/2 hrs... around 7:30pm we knew it was time to go!! We made it to the hospital around 8:30 and about 4 hrs later he was here! Chris was absolutely wonderful! He never left my side... I honestly don't think I could have done it w/out him (I know I couldn't have) and my wonderful midwife Shannon Nirode! I am amazed by the strength that the Lord gives us - right when we need it. Chris & I have been so blessed as husband and wife over the past 6 yrs and now he has blessed us with this amazing little man - whom by the way I think looks just like Chris!! My wish is that every woman would be able to have this experience!